The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-02-25
ALDANA'S WIDOW.
bow She Saved Her House from
Robbery.

..Mamacita," cried Blasa AIdana
coming across the patio with old Dolores
her sometimes nurse and present maid
sbuffling at her heels; "mamacita! The
Saenz were robbed last night. The
door of the Sdid was broken in and the
house ransacked. Lupe's pearls are
gone. with all the silver cups. and
spoons. and ladies, and Julio's ckarrC
suit that cost three hundred dollars,
End, oh. a lot of money Don Lauro had
il his chest"
Clcofas Mora, widow of Aldana,
shook her head in silent comment She
had heard all too much in the last few
weeks of the depredations committed
by the iawless gentry who had Just be-
gun to work their way up to Chihuahua
from the States below.
land, mamma" said Blasita, '.Lupe
Saenz says that Lorenzo Garcia has
been walking past her window every
night this week, and she is quite sure
he cares more for her than for Angus
tina"
''ChtSmes!" then answered Cleofas
Mora. "Why do you retail gossip?
Have l not heart and hands full al
ready, that you should come babbling
of Guadalupe Saenz and her flirtatiors?
1 thank the saints that my Agustina is
prudent child, who does not take up
with every young blade that appears
on the Alameda. Who is this Lorenzo
Garcia?-whence comes he?-to whom
does he bring letters? In my young
days we knew who a man might he be-
fore we owned he watched under our
windows. A pretty pass we are COM
ing to, with the free and easy manners
the American women have brought
among u.s.
Now, truth to tell. Dona Cleofas was,
on an average, little of scold; but to-
day she was sore distraught. She was
the fortunate posSessor of means, mod
crate enough to be sure, but still ade-
quate for her needs; and she and hers
were gifted with sound minds and
bodies. But at the present moment
she was much exercised in spirit. and
over the very two matters on which
Blasita had touched so glibly. There
was no doubt that Lorenzo Garcia had
been making tentative advances toward
the house of Aldana, And there was
equal certainty that Agustina was
gather kindly disposed to hearken to
the voice of the charmer, coyly as Yet,
it was true, and not to a compromising
degree; but Dona Cleofas foresaw
lively contest for the day when
the girl should definitely decide for
her quasi admirer, for Augustine was
endowed with some tenacity of pur-
pose. Lorenzo Garcia was stranger
in chihuahua. for whom none could
youch, and, for all his handsome eyes
and suave address, Dona Cleofas had
no notion of passing over to his control
one-third of the snug little sum she had
laid by as dowry for her daughters.
Now. too, bona Cleofas had another
source of disturbance. which she would
by no means impart to her household,
composed exclusively of women rs it
was. In the silent hours of the pre-
ceding night, she had heard clearly
and Enthusiastically the sound of feet
moving cautiously in the little court of
her domicile, and her big Watchdog
Pinto had been found stiff and dead
that morning, although none save her
-,lf h. ~ IS Il.
fidcntly assigned for his demise. So
far as appeared, there was no protec-
ton to he had. The Aldana abode
was rather isolated, and the very pc
culiarities of architectural form which
render Mexican house almost like
fortress TO outside attack. virtually cut
off communication with and assistance
from tire outside world, once the foe
has gained foothold within the gates.
In those days, the police force of Chi
huahua, now admirably organized.
was insignificant. both as to numerical
strength and effectiveness. Then
Dona Cleofas. imbued with the spirit
of woman's subjugation and social
passivity of her race and day, felt that
she could call on no man of her ac-
guaintance for succor or protection.
There was nothing to do but await the
course of events.
The day went on. slowly enough,
perhaps, to Augustine, before whose
eyes the form of Lorenzo appeared not,
but ali too swiftly for her mother. en-
during sort of breathless apprehen-
sion. Night fell. and the little family.
shut inside their four walls. passed the
long winter evening as best they might.
At bedtime Dona Cleofas caller her
people together, and. to their surprise
and against their protests. marshaled
them away to a great room, a guest
chamber rarely used, which lay at the
rear of the house, toward the kitchens,
and which was strongly defended, hav-
ing no windows, but only heavy oaken
doors. These Dona Cleofas locked and
barred securely, and mustered her
flock together.
Hush, Blasa! and you. too. Angus
tina. But look you at Eduardo, the
youngest of you all-how silently she
obeys, while you set up clamor. Why
do bring you here? Because l will SO.
then. How now! Am l no longer
mistress in my own abode? Here are
three beds with ample pillows-get you
TO rest. And you, Beata, Hermelinda